[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13354]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING LIBERIAN INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 168th anniversary of 
independence for the Republic of Liberia.
  In 1847, after decades under the rule of the American Colonization 
Society, the Republic of Liberia declared its independence in order to 
establish a free, sovereign state in West Africa.
  Today, my home state of Rhode Island is home to a thriving Liberian-
American community of 15,000 men, women, and children who help make our 
state such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
  I am delighted today to celebrate this great country, its people, 
their traditions, its strong ties to the United States, and the lasting 
impact this community has made in Rhode Island and other places all 
across America.
  Last year, I had the honor of visiting Liberia with the United 
Nations Foundation and speaking with officials there about ways to 
strengthen ties between our two countries and support peacekeeping 
efforts in West Africa.
  I extend my best wishes and congratulations to Liberia's President 
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and to all those celebrating in Liberia and 
around the world this week.

                          ____________________